People in Illinois History
A Bibliography for Elementary Students
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Armentrout, David and Patricia Armentrout. Jane Addams, People Who Made a Difference
Series. Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Publishing, 2002. (ISBN:1589520548) For grades 2-3.
Basic biographical information includes Addams’ major accomplishments. Recommended as adequate by School Library Journal. Also available in Spanish (ISBN: 158952165X).
“Jane Addams, 1860-1935.” Cobblestone 20, no. 3 (March 1999): 2-29, 35-43.
This issue of Cobblestone magazine includes a number of articles about Addams, including information about her childhood, Hull House, and Addams’ work in a number of causes, such as women’s suffrage, child welfare, and world peace. This is a great source.
King, David C. First Facts About American Heroes. Woodbridge, CN: Blackbirch
Press, 1996. (ISBN: 1567111653) For juvenile audience.
Individuals who have contributed to the development of America are highlighted, including Jane Addams, Wild Bill Hickok, and Ulysses S. Grant.
Louis Armstrong
Charles, Stephen. Jazzman: Louis Armstrong. New York: McGraw-Hill School Division, 1999. (ISBN: 002185622) For grades 2-5.
Orgill, Roxane If I Only Had a Horn: Young Louis Armstrong. Boston: Houghton Mifflin: 1997. (ISBN: 0395759196) x
As a young boy in New Orleans, Louis Armstrong shot an old ..38 in the air one New Year’s Eve and landed in a Colored Waifs’ Home. There he met Mr. Davis who taught him rhythm and gave him his first horn—a battered old cornet that he played in a marching band. Recommended by School Library Journal.
Hacker, Carlotta. Great African Americans in Jazz, Outstanding African
Americans Series. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 1997.
(ISBN: 0865058180) For juvenile audience.
Thirteen brief profiles of African American jazz musicians include Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. Recommended by Horn Book Guide with minor flaws.
Strickland, Michael R. African-American Poets. Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 1996.
(ISBN: 0894907743) For Juvenile audience.
This collective biography of ten poets includes that of Gwendolyn Brooks, as well as Phillis Wheattley, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, Haki R. Madhubuti, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Eloise Greenfield, and Rita Dove.
Stockdale, Tom. Al Capone. Broomall: Chelsea House Publishers, 1999.
(ISBN: 0791046389) For grades 5 and up.
This biography of the infamous Chicago gangster—although only 48 pages in length—includes content that makes it more suitable for middle graders and up.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Greenberg, Keith Elliot. Bill & Hillary: Working Together in the White House, Partners
Series. CT: Blackbird Press, 1994. (ISBN: 1567110673)
For grades 2-5.
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s lives are explored briefly from birth to his becoming the President of the United States and her becoming the First Lady. More coverage is given to a description of their partnership in working toward mutual goals. Recommended by School Library Journal with one caveat—undocumented quotes.
Kent, Deborah. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Encyclopedia of First Ladies Series. CT: Children’s
Press, 1998. (ISBN: 0516206443) For grades 3-6.
Hillary Rodham Clinton’s youth, marriage, and work on health care and the welfare and education of children are presented.
Levert, Suzanne. Hillary Rodham Clinton: First Lady, A Gateway Biography. Brookfield, CT:
Millbrook, 1998 revised edition. (ISBN: 1562947265) For grades 3-5.
This easy-to-read overview covers the First Lady’s life until her appointment as the National Health Care Task Force head. Features both color and black-and- white photographs, as well as slightly enlarged font. Also includes a chronology and bibliography. Original edition recommended by Booklist.
Loewen, Nancy. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ovations Series. Mankato:Creative
Education, 1999. (ISBN: 0886826365) For grades 4-7.
No description available.
Bessie Coleman
Borden, Louise and Mary Kay Kroeger. Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman.
New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2001. (ISBN: 068+924572) For
grades Kindergarten-4.
A highly illustrated and straight-forward biography of the first African American female to earn her pilot’s license in 1921. Good for reluctant readers. Recommended by School Library Journal.
Grimes, Nikki. Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Bessie Coleman. New
York: Orchard Books, 2002. (ISBN: 0439352436) For grades 3-5.
This fictionalized approach to the life of Coleman should inspire students to take a closer look. In 21 eulogistic vignettes, mourners gather at Coleman’s wake to remember her life and contributions to aviation and our society—she was the first black female pilot licensed in the world. Recommended by Horn Book Magazine.
Walker, Sally M. Bessie Coleman, On My Own Biography Series. Minneapolis,
MN: Carolrhoda Books, 2003. (ISBN: 0876141033) For grades 2-5.
An illustrated biography of Bessie Coleman, who overcame racism and escaped poverty to become the first African American woman pilot.
Hacker, Carlotta. Great African Americans in Jazz. (Please see entry under Louis
Ford, Carin T. Walt Disney: Meet the Cartoonist, Meeting Famous People
Series. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2003. For grades
1-4.
Nardo, Don. Walt Disney, Inventors and Creators Series. San Diego, CA:
Kidhaven, 2003. (ISBN: 0737709588) For elementary grades.
This brief biography of Disney (48 pages) covers his life, including the creation of Mickey Mouse, Disney’s involvement in television, and the development of his theme parks.
Schroeder, Russell, ed. Walt Disney: His Life in Pictures. NY:Disney Press,
1996. (ISBN: 0786831162) For grades 4-6.
As a longtime Disney illustrator, Schroeder had the unique opportunity to compile photographs from company archives and combine them with quotes from interviews with Disney to produce a biography that is accessible even to elementary students. Such aspects as Disney’s childhood, animation adventures, studio and theme park ventures are covered. Recommended by School Library Journal.
Winter, Jonah. Once Upon a Time in Chicago: Benny Goodman. New York:
Hyperion Press for Children, 2000. (ISBN: 0786804629) For Kindergarten
to 3rd grade.
The “King of Swing’s” story is told from his childhood as one of 12 children in a family of Jewish immigrants to his success as a jazz clarinetist.
Ulysses S. Grant
Gaines, Ann Graham. Ulysses S. Grant: Our Eighteenth President, “Spirit of
America:” Our Presidents Series. Chanhassen, MN: Child’s World, 2002.
(ISBN: 1567668550) For grades 3-6.*
Gregson, Susan R. Ulysses S. Grant, Let Freedom Ring: Civil War Biographies.
Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books, 2002. (ISBN: 0736810919) For grades
3-4.*
* The above two biographies are simply described as being about the Commander of the Union forces during the Civil War and the eighteenth president of the United States.
King, David C. First Facts About American Heroes. (Please see entry under
Welsbacher, Anne. Ulysses S. Grant, United States Presidents Series.
Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing Co., 2001. (ISBN: 1562397419) For
elementary grades.
Grant’s life and career are highlighted; includes statistics, a time line, and fast facts. This series is described as undistinguished by Horn Book Guide, but seems adequate if no other resources are available.
King, David C. First Facts About American Heroes. (Please see entry under
Hickok.)
Burby, Liza N. Mae Jemison: The First African American Woman Astronaut. NY:
PowerKids Press, 1997. (ISBN: 0823950271) For grades 1-3.
Learn about Jemison’s Chicago childhood, her education, her career as a doctor, and her historic flight into space. Although the text is clearly written, the photo illustrations are confusing—noted in School Library Journal.
Harris, Laurie Lanzen, ed. Biography for Beginners Fall 1996. Pleasant Ridge,
MI: Favorable Impressions, 1996. (ISBN: 1931360030) For ages 6-9.
This particular volume of Biography for Beginners includes a profile of Mae Jemison. An excellent biographical reference source written specifically for early readers, this continuing set includes a wide variety of well-known people. Each entry covers complete biographical information.
Naden, Corinne J. and Rose Blue. Mae Jemison: Out of This World, Gateway
Biography. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press, 2003. (ISBN: 0761325700)
For grades 2-5.
Children will learn about Jemison’s life and how she became an astronaut and the first African American woman to go into space. Also included are Jemison’s Peace Corps experience, NASA training, college teaching and public lectures. Recommended Web sites and a bibliography are given. Recommended by School Library Journal.
Polette, Nancy. Mae Jemison, Rookie Biographies. NY: Children’s Press, 2003.
(ISBN: 0516228560) For elementary grades.
Children are introduced to Jemison—the engineer, physician, and astronaut.
Louis Jolliet
Donaldson-Forbes, Jeff. Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet. New York:
PowerKids Press, 2002. (ISBN: 0823958353)) For primary school.
The story is briefly told of the two French explorers who discovered the Mississippi River and charted its course in the seventeenth century.
Quincy Jones
Kallen, Stuart A. Quincy Jones, I Have a Dream Series. Edina, MN: Abdo &
Daughters, 1996. (ISBN: 1562395718) For elementary grades.
Describes how African American, Quincy Jones, overcame racism to become a composer, arranger, and music artist in America’s recording and music production scene.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Goldstein, Margaret J. and Jennifer Larson. Jackie Joyner-Kersee,
Superwoman, Sports Achievers Biographies Series. Minneapolis, MN:
LernerSports, 1994. (ISBN: 0822596539) For grades 3-5.
This African American female athlete’s life in Illinois, her college years and her Olympic career are detailed in this well-written biography.
Michael Jordan
Brenner, Richard J. Michael Jordan. New York: Beech Tree, 1999, ©1998.
(ISBN: 0688165877) For juvenile audience.
No description available, except that this is a biography that is unpaged with some color illustrations.
Kirkpatrick, Rob. Michael Jordan, Basketball Superstar, Great Record Breakers
in Sports Series. New York: PowerKids Press, 2001. (ISBN: 0823956334)
For primary school audience.
From his North Carolinian childhood to his Chicago Bulls career, travel with Jordan until he achieves the title of one of sport’s fifty greatest players.
Armentrout, David and Patricia Armentrout. Translated by Esther Sarfatti and
Elda de la Vega. Abraham Lincoln.
(Personas que cambiaron la historia
Series: People Who Made a Difference.) Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Publishing, 2001. (ISBN: 589521676) For grades 1-3.
This biography translated into Spanish may be a good choice for ESL students. Short and to the point, it includes information on Lincoln’s personal life and accomplishments. Recommended by Booklist.
Burke, Rick. Abraham Lincoln. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2002. (ISBN:
1403401551) For grades 2-4.
Lincoln, the lawyer and the president, is presented in this short biography of 32 pages with illustrations.
Cohn, Amy and Suzy Schmidt. Abraham Lincoln. New York: Scholastic Press,
2002. (ISBN: 0590935666) For grades 2-4.
Cohn’s and Schmidt’s picture-book biography of Lincoln is well-written, and for the most part, is an accurate picture of a likeable fellow who becomes an American hero. This could make a good introductory read-aloud. Recommended by Booklist.
Oberle, Lora Polak. Abraham Lincoln, Let Freedom Ring Series: Civil War
Biographies. Minnetonka: Bridgestone Books, 2002. (ISBN: 0736810862)
For grades 2-4.
Provides information about Lincoln’s childhood and adulthood. This entire series is described as adequate by Horn Book Guide, but not inspiring. Appendices include a timeline, reading list, and website list. This series also includes a volume on Ulysses S. Grant (see Grant in this bibliography).
Donaldson-Forbes, Jeff. Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet. (Please see entry
under Louis Jolliet.)
Joseph, Paul. Ronald Reagan, Checkerboard Biography Library: United States
Presidents. Edina, MN: ABDO & Daughters Pub., 1998. (ISBN:
1562398156) For juvenile audience.
This 32-page, illustrated biography includes Reagan’s childhood, education, and careers—both political and otherwise. Recommended by Horn Book Guide with minor flaws.
Klingel, Cynthia Fitterer and Robert B. Noyed. Ronald Reagan: Our Fortieth
President, Spirit of America: Our Presidents Series. Eden Prairie, MN:
Child’s World, Incorporated, 2001. (ISBN: 1567668747) For juvenile
audience.
This biography is 48 pages long and illustrated.
Margaret, Amy. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. New York: PowerKids
Press, 2003. (ISBN: 0823962725) For juvenile audience.
No description available.
Miller, Robert H. The Story of Jean Baptiste Du Sable. Parsippany, NJ: Silver
Press, 1995. (ISBN: 0382243927) For juvenile audience.
Although this presentation of du Sable’s life, the Haitian who is credited with founding Chicago, is reviewed as seriously flawed by Horn Book Guide, it does have some redeeming qualities.
Carl Sandburg
Mitchell, Barbara. “Good Morning, Mr. President:" A Story About Carl Sandburg.
Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda, 1988. (ISBN: 087614329x) For grades 3-6.
Mitchell covers Sandburg’s Illinois childhood, his hobo adventures, and writing career. In fact, Sandburg won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Lincoln, and the title of this biography refers to a prank played on him by an actor. Recommended by Kirkus™ as being useful in the early grades.
Sammy Sosa
Kirkpatrick, Rob. Sammy Sosa: Home Run Hitter. New York: PowerKids Press,
2000. (ISBN: 0823955346) For juvenile audience.
Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs is introduced as the homerun-hitting fielder.
Wetterer, Margaret K. Clyde Tombaugh and the Search for Planet X.
Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, ©1996, 2003. (ISBN: 0876148933)
For grades 2-4.
In spite of Tombaugh’s impoverished upbringing on an Illinois farm, he persevered and studied astronomy on his own, even building his own telescopes. His determination and painstaking work paid off when he discovered Planet X—better known to us as Pluto. Recommended by School Library Journal.
Walker, Lydia and John Lewis. Challenge and Change: The Story of Civil Rights
Activist, C. T. Vivian. Atlanta, GA: Dreamkeeper Press, Incorporated, 1993.
(ISBN: 1877852147) For grades 6-8.
At the early age of 9, civil rights activist, C. T. Vivian, learned the power of non-violence versus aggression. This biography documents his experience and follows his life-long role of leader and defender of others.
McLeese, Don. Oprah Winfrey, Discover the Life of an American Legend. Vero
Beach, FL: Rourke Publishing, 2003. (ISBN: 1589523067) For juvenile
audience.
McLeese describes how Oprah overcame a difficult childhood to become a successful actress and talk-show host.
Stone, Tanya Lee. Oprah Winfrey: Success with an Open Heart, Gateway
Biography. Brookfield, CN: Millbrook Press, 2001. (ISBN: 0761318143)
For primary school.
Oprah’s childhood, college years, and professional life is covered in brief and readable text. Also nicely illustrated with photographs. Recommended by School Library Journal.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Ingram, Scott. Frank Lloyd Wright. Chicago, IL: Raintree, 2003.
(ISBN:0739868667) For primary school.
This biography of Wright describes how this innovative architect influenced twentieth century design.
This bibliography was compiled in response to a school librarian’s request for help in finding third-grade-level biographies about famous Illinoisans. It also served as a final project for a graduate-level course in Library and Information Science.
Titles had to meet certain criteria for inclusion.
1. Currency
Published mainly between 1995 and 2003, so that titles could be purchased or
at least obtainable through interlibrary loan.
2. Authority
Every attempt was made to find reviews recommending the titles
included.
3. Content appropriateness and scope
4. Author or publisher
Well-known and reputable children’s publishers.
If you have suggestions or remarks, please contact the bibliographer.
© June, 2003
Amazon. Home page on-line. Available from <http://www.amazon.com>;
Internet; accessed June 2003.
Barnes & Noble. Home page on-line. Available from <http://www.bn.com>;
Internet; accessed June 2003.
Bernstein, Allison, A. Trent. Review of Mae Jemison:The First African American
Woman Astronaut, by Liza N. Burby. School Library Journal (July 1998).
[journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review,
<http://newfirstsearch. oclc.org/> (accessed 10 June 2003).
Bomboy, Pamela K. Review of Walt Disney: His Life in Pictures, by Russell
Schroeder, ed. School Library Journal (1 October 1996). [journal on-line];
available from Book Wholesalers, Inc., <http://www.bwibooks.com>
(accessed 3 June 2003).
Books In Print with Book Reviews Plus. (13 June 2003) [database on-line];
available from OCLC FirstSearch, <http://www.newfirstsearch.oclc.org/>
(accessed June 2003).
Book Wholesalers, Inc. “TitleTales,” Book Wholesalers, Inc. Home page on-line.
Available from <http://www.bwibooks.com>; Internet; accessed June 2003.
Elleman, Barbara. Review of If I Only Had a Horn: Young Louis Armstrong, by
Roxane Orgill. School Library Journal (September 1997). [journal on-line];
available from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch. oclc.org/>
(accessed 8 June 2003).
Engberg, Gillian. Review of Oprah Winfrey: Success with an Open Heart, A
Gateway Biography, by Tanya Lee Stone. Booklist (15 June 2001).
[journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review,
<http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 15 June 2003).
Hayes, Janice C. Review of Bill & Hillary: Working Together in the White House,
by Keith Elliot Greenberg. School Library Journal (1 July 1994). [journal
on-line]; available from Book Wholesalers, Inc., <http://www.bwibooks.com>
(accessed 3 June 2003).
Hayes, Janice C. Review of Jackie Joyner-Kersee: Superwoman, by Margaret J.
Goldstein. School Library Journal. [journal on-line]; available from Amazon,
<http://amazon.com>; Internet; accessed 6 June 2003.
Parker, Anne. Review of Clyde Tombaugh and the Search for Planet X, by
Margaret K. Wetterer. School Library Journal (January 1997). [journal on-
line]; available from Barnes & Noble, <http://www.bn.com>; Internet;
accessed 10 June 2003.
Phelan, Carolyn. Review of Abraham Lincoln, by Amy Cohn and Suzy Schmidt.
Booklist (1 April 2002). [journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch:
Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 6 June 2003).
Phelan, Carolyn. Review of Mae Jemison: Out of This World, by Corinne J.
Naden and Rose Blue. School Library Journal (15 February 2003). [journal
on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review,
<http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 10 June 2003).
R. R. Bowker’s Database Publishing Group in collaboration with the Information
Technology Department. Children’s Books In Print® 2003: An Author, Title,
and Illustrator Index to Books for Children and Young Adults, V.2. New
Providence, NJ: R. R. Bowker LLC, 2002.
Renaud, Christina F. Review of Jane Addams, People Who Made a Difference,
by David Armentrout and Patricia Armentrout. School Library Journal
(1 March 2002). [journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch:
Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 14 June 2003).
Review of Abraham Lincoln, by David Armentrout and Patrica Armentrout.
Booklist (15 February 2002). [journal on-line]; available from OCLC
FirstSearch: Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 14
June 2003).
Review of Abraham Lincoln, by Lora Polak Oberle. Horn Book Guide (1 April
2003). [journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review,
<http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 14 June 2003).
Review of “Good Morning, Mr. President:” A Story About Carl Sandburg, by
Margaret K. Wetterer. Kirkus™ (1 December 1988). [journal on-line];
available from Book Wholesalers, Inc., <http://www.bwibooks.com>
(accessed 3 June 2003).
Review of Great African Americans in Jazz, by Carlotta Hacker. Horn Book
Guide (September 1997). [journal on-line]; available from OCLC
FirstSearch: Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 15
June 2003).
Review of Hillary Rodham Clinton: First Lady, by Suzanne Levert. Booklist (1
July 1994). [journal on-line]; available from Book Wholesalers, Inc.,
<http://www.bwibooks.com> (accessed 3 June 2003).
Review of Ronald Reagan, by Paul Joseph. Horn Book Guide (September
1999). [journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review,
<http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 14 June 2003).
Review of The Story of Jean Baptiste Du Sable, by Robert H. Miller. Horn Book
Guide (March 1996). [journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch:
Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 15 June 2003).
Review of Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Bessie Coleman, by Nikki
Grimes. Horn Book Magazine (1 January 2003). [journal on-line]; available
from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/>
(accessed 8 June 2003).
Review of Ulysses S. Grant, United States Presidents Series, by Anne
Welsbacher. Horn Book Guide (1 January 2001). [journal on-line]; available
from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review, <http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/>
(accessed 6 June 2003).
Van Vleck, Lynn. Review of Fly High!: The Story of Bessie Coleman, by Louise
Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger. School Library Journal (1 January 2001).
[journal on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch: Book Review,
<http://newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed 8 June 2003).
WorldCat. (13 June 2003) [database on-line]; available from OCLC FirstSearch, <http://www.newfirstsearch.oclc.org/> (accessed June 2003).
Abraham Lincoln Digitization Project
Central School Virtual Museum (includes short bios)
Famous Illinoisans With Civil War Ties
Illinois History: Well-Known Persons from Illinois
Memorable Quotations: Illustrious Illinoisans
© June, 2003